Is it possible that Whole Foods Market could have some healthy competition in Englewood? According to the Chicago Sun Times, Whole Foods Market will open an 18,000-square-foot store at 63rd Street and Halsted by 2016. But with recent news on Thurs., March 20, that Englewood residents would be able to purchase any of 5,000 vacant lots for $1, they may be able to give the healthy food chain a run for its money if the lots are used to garden and stop the food desert problem.

From a business standpoint, the area may not lean towards food production jobs. But for business trendsetters, gardening is a way to help the community, save money and improve the healthy food supply all at once.

According to the National Gardening Association, 54 percent of people who garden do it to save money on grocery bills and 34 percent say the current recession encouraged them to try it out. Thirty-three million households (91 percent) have food gardens in their own homes. The average amount spent to create a garden is $70.

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Shamontiel has always been interested in a vegetarian lifestyle since her childhood days of watching a friend eat meatless spaghetti. She slowly started pushing meat to the side in elementary and high school, but it wasn't until college when she bought all of her own groceries that she stopped eating meat altogether. After writing her first novel, "Change for a Twenty" and including a main character who was a vegetarian, a PETA representative contacted her. Teaming up to talk with a PETA rep who focused on hip-hop's influence on vegetarianism made Shamontiel's interest go from not eating meat for taste reasons to not eating meat for moral reasons. She is a 10-year vegetarian and tries her bust to support animal-friendly products. For feedback or press queries, contact her at Shamontiel.com.